Gophers football: Gary Tinsley would have told mom, 'Dance for me,' she says

May 11, 2012|Marcus R. Fuller, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Gary Tinsley's parents were elated when the University of Minnesota decided to award their son with his degree, even though he had died suddenly a month before graduation.

But the decision on whether to travel from Jacksonville, Fla., to accept the former Gophers' linebacker's diploma was a difficult and emotional one. In the end, Ronda Evans and Gary Tinsley Sr. decided it was the right thing to do for their son, who at age 22 died from an enlarged heart in his dormitory April 6.

"It was hard for me to say I'm going to Minnesota to take it," a teary-eyed Evans said Thursday, May 10, before the spring commencement at Mariucci Arena, where their son would be honored with a special presentation. "Just getting off the plane and he's not here is hard enough. But I knew the struggle of him working through this to get this degree. There was no way I could leave it behind and just take it in the mail. So it was a must that we come and get it."

"This is what he was waiting for -- to walk across that stage and make us proud of him," Tinsley's father said. "For all his family and friends, this is an exciting day."

Tinsley was pursuing a bachelor's degree in business and marketing. Evans said her son was planning on opening a clothing store after he was done pursuing a professional football career.

"Which was going to be called G Things," she said. "So he needed that business aspect of (his education). He was a great kid. He was very close to me. I can hear him

now, saying that 'when you get that degree, dance for me.' So it's hard. But I'm going to take it."

Tinsley was debating whether to take some time off from school to work out for NFL teams before last month's draft. The Gophers' second-leading tackler last season was a long shot to be drafted, but likely would have received an invitation to try out for someone's training camp.

"It was a thing that was bothering him for like a week," Evans said. "He kept thinking, 'What should I do, what should I do?' But on the last day before it was time for his plane to go (back to Minnesota), his decision was to get his degree because that was what was going to take him the furthest."

She feels for linebacker Keanon Cooper, her son's roommate and the person who found Tinsley and called 911. Cooper, who also graduated Thursday, has kept in close contact with Evans in particular, to show his support.

"They were real close together as friends," Evans said. "I couldn't imagine being in Keanon's position. I talked to Keanon every day, (with) texts going back and forth. He's stronger than me. I could never imagine that day. But he's doing his thing. I know he misses him. It's boring without him."

Tinsley's parents had dinner with Gophers football coach Jerry Kill and his wife, Rebecca, on Wednesday night. They also sat with the Kills at the ceremony Thursday.

Evans received embraces from a few players before she took her seat, including quarterback MarQueis Gray and wide receiver Brandon Green and cornerback Troy Stoudermire, who also were there to receive their degrees.

Tinsley's parents both walked up to the stage, and his mother received Gary's degree. The arena packed with thousands of people gave a standing ovation.

There was no dance, at least not in plain view. Evans' head was down while she stood on stage, listening to Jean K. Quam, the dean of the College of Education and Human Development, describe Tinsley as a "diligent and innovative student" and an athlete with work ethic, leadership skills and an "infectious smile."

After handing out the degree, Quam embraced Evans and Tinsley Sr. before the pair returned to their seats. They would not be addressing the media afterwards.

But shortly after Tinsley's diploma was presented, Gray took to Twitter (@goldengopherqb5) to salute his late teammate, who wore number 51 and whose page (@GT51noreason) remains on the social media site:

"And there it was my man @GT51noreason made it!! congrats big dog WE DID IT!!! Love you always and continue to Rest In Paradise!!"